Why: Indian birdwatchers and scientists have long focused on counting numbers of winter migrants (Asian Waterbird Census), but have largely overlooked passage migrants. One reason may be that we often think of India as being of conservation importance for many species of winter visitors, but not for passage migrants. Stopovers in Kachchh may however be very important for the survival of passage migrants! We therefore need to understand how many individuals of the different species move through Kachchh every year, and monitor these numbers to inform conservation if required. Currently, if we are to ask ourselves how many Spotted Flycatchers visit Kachchh every year, I don’t think we would have an answer.In the long-term, this initiative will be repeated on all weekends in September (although it is confined to one coordinated weekend this first time) so that we can cover the entire period of passage migration.

Registration: Register using this form. Do note that there is a Rs. 1000 registration fee for the event that will help partially support the initiative. We welcome participation from everyone, so please contact us if you cannot afford the registration fee and we will help support you.

How: The survey process is as follows:

1. The district is divided into 20-40  zones, each with multiple defined locations marked out as survey points.
2. All those participating on 10-11 September will be assigned a team, a zone, and survey points where they are expected to follow a fixed protocol to count target species. During these two days, teams will be provided transport from a pre-assigned reporting place (if required) and basic accommodation (if required), but nominal food expenses are to be borne by participants. Coordinators will ensure that no one goes hungry or thirsty and will support food in remote areas where there is no facility.
3. All those who opt to participate on 1-9 September are free to choose their own zones, but will have to arrange their own lodging, boarding and transport. Please ensure that protocol is followed correctly or it may not be possible to include these counts in the final survey. This option is included so that birders who have already planned a visit to Kachchh during 1-9 Sep also have the opportunity to participate.
4. A Google form will be circulated where every participant fills up details, and is subsequently assigned a team, a zone, and survey points such that every team has at least one birdwatcher who is relatively experienced with passage migrants and/or with the landscape.
5. When a team of 3-5 people reaches a location, the monitoring protocol is as follows: a) stop at each marked location b) walk 500m in any two opposing directions from the points and search the habitat thoroughly c) count all relevant passage migrants (8 species) and note them down in an eBird checklist named “zoneXX locationYY” d) upload the eBird checklist while sharing it with the “BCSG Bird Count” eBird ID.
6. We strongly recommend that you report all species in each checklist, not just the passage migrants – if you include all species in a checklist, mark it as ‘complete’, otherwise mark it as ‘incomplete’.
7. Some species are best identified by call so familiarize yourselves with the calls of Spotted Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, Greater Whitethroat and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater.
8. A webinar will be organized prior to the survey in which all details will be explained along with protocols and identification features.

 

In addition to the eight mentioned passage migrants, keep an eye out for other exciting (potential) passage migrants such as European Nightjar, Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Eurasian Scops Owl, Marbled Teal and various shorebirds! You may be going to some remote locations so also look out for rarities such as Sind Woodpecker and Sind Sparrow. You may also stumble upon some desert specialists such as Greater Hoopoe-Lark and get a chance to have some insights into their life histories.

This initiative can be a success only with the wholehearted participation of all birdwatchers from Gujarat. But participants from other states are also welcome! Covering the vast area is a herculean task. Considering financial constraints, use of own vehicle by participants is encouraged, though not mandatory. Anyone willing to donate for the event may do so using the details provided in the registration form.